Upper Room -- Thanksgiving Baskets
Now through November 15, we will be collecting the items for Thanksgiving Baskets for the Upper Room.
This year the Upper Room will be supplying between 100 and 150 Thanksgiving baskets to those in need. They are looking for donations of items from the list below. You can leave your donations in the foyer of Hadley Hall through November 15.
Thank you as always for your generous donations to the Mission Team’s food drives!
Please no fresh items – only shelf-stable, non-expired products.
Cranberry Sauce
Quick Bread Mixes (Pumpkin, Apple, Cranberry, Corn)
Canned Corn
Boxed Potatoes
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Furniture Available This Week
Do you know anyone in immediate need of:
beds?
dressers?
a kitchen table?
a china cabinet?
If so, please contact the church office and we will connect you to the donor. Items need to be picked up by Tuesday.
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Worship This Week
Please join us in the sanctuary or online at 10am for Stewardship Sunday!
If you are able, please fill out your pledge card for 2022 and bring it to worship so that we can dedicate them. If you need a pledge card, you can pick one up Sunday morning, or one can be mailed to you.
As we pledge in our covenant, we recommend that everyone who attends in-person worship on Sunday mornings wear a mask during the entire service.
The service will be live-streamed through Facebook Live here or on 3CX here.
Following the service, all are invited to an outdoor coffee hour! "Goodies" will be on a table outside of Hadley Hall. There will be chairs available for those who would like to sit.
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Cheer Each Other On
an offering from the HCC Staff Relations Team
So many of us are tired, tired of Covid, of suffering, of the anger that abounds. We want to share a poem by the Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes that inspired us. May it inspire you too.
Our niece ran the Boston Marathon yesterday,
her ninth marathon; her fourth in Boston.
The marathon is like unto the Realm of God.
Everybody cheers for everybody.
No teams, no sides, no winners and losers.
(One person wins; the other 30,000 just run.)
Andrea wasn't trying to win; she was just running—
though she ran an alarmingly steady eight-and-a-half-minute mile.
One year she nearly collapsed from dehydration,
staggered into the medical tent at mile 22,
and eventually was able to walk the rest of the course.
Yesterday I tracked her, passing the tent, running on.
At the finish line some people raise their arms
as if they've won. Some kiss the ground
as if returning from Mars. They have indeed won.
Every day people around you are bearing unseen burdens,
overcoming invisible challenges,
completing a story you don't know.
You can't judge their pace, or how far along they are.
Your job is to cheer them on.
Heaven, you know, is actually empty.
They're all down here, unseen, crowded around,
yelling like crazy, cheering you on.
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Worship Next Week
A Service of Lament and Remembrance
On Sunday, October 31st we will have a special Sunday service to remember all those loved ones we've lost and to grieve for all that we have lost over the pandemic--special events postponed, the grief of separation from our friends and loved ones, not being able to hug or be with one another, losing our "normal" lives and living in transition for so long. Please plan to join us for this reflective service.
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A Future With Hope - A note from Your Stewardship Team
Our journey to promote good stewardship practices this year began when we reached out to you to ask you to consider being Intentional, having a plan, in deciding how much to pledge for the upcoming year. Last week we asked you to include Generous and Proportional in determining how much to give. This week we introduce Cheerful as another characteristic of good stewardship.
The state of being happy makes it easier to overcome everyday challenges, pressure and anxiety. Studies have shown happy people tend to have greater overall health. When we become Intentional in our giving, use of a plan may reduce stress and anxiety if we are not sure of when and how much is appropriate to put in the collection plate. In addition, if we choose to add Generous and Proportional characteristics to our giving, the results may further reduce stress and anxiety. A Cheerful giver can be summed up in the following:
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 in part “…. give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly, or under compulsion…God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
As we said last week, faithful Stewardship is intended to help us grow our relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship is aided by all of the traits and characteristics we have highlighted. Furthermore, our giving transcends beyond our own spiritual growth. We have the ability to transform the lives of others locally and far. What more can help us be that Cheerful giver, than contributing to the greater good. God loves a cheerful giver.
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Chris McCune our Witnessing Steward
sharing on how and why their family gives to HCC
Join us for Stewardship Sunday this week!
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Upper Room Devotional
We have copies of the November/December Upper Room devotional available in the foyer to Hadley Hall. If you need a copy mailed to you, please contact the main office.
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The Sacrament of Baptism of Hudson James Seager
October 17, 2021
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Why Aren't We Singing at Worship?
You may have noticed that our worship services have been shortened in recent weeks. Due to the continuing high positivity rates of Covid in Rockingham County (7% currently), we are doing the best we can to continue worship in person in our sanctuary while trying to keep everyone as safe as possible.
We cannot ensure that everyone will follow safety protocols, and rather than issuing requirements to do so, we have adapted the worship service. Singing and congregational responses are high-risk activities for indoor worship, so we have temporarily suspended them. We plan to resume them once the positivity rate stays below 3% (which is the NH UCC Conference threshold for holding indoor worship). This is a challenge for all of us. As a community, we seek to remain connected even when we have conflicting ideas and opinions. We eagerly await the day when we can all gather together in our sanctuary for a full worship service.
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DEA National RX Take Back Day
October 23
10AM to 2PM
The Hampstead Police Department is sponsoring a RX Take Back Day this Saturday, 10/23.
Residents are urged to drop off any old prescription medications - this includes pet medications too.
They cannot accept needles or liquids. They will have an officer assigned to the lobby from 10 AM to 2 PM. Please swing down and say hi to one of your officers and safely dispose of any old medications
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A Word From The Peace & Justice Team
We have information about an opportunity to participate in a restorative racial justice learning opportunity for those interested in or searching for a faith-based path toward anti-racism. It could be an extension of our study a couple of years ago on the book, "Waking Up White", but is appropriate for anyone looking for more information or understanding of the concept of anti-racism. Here is the information we received:
CENTERING GOD, DECENTERING WHITENESS
Alternate Wednesdays, Beginning November 3, 2021 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm
This is a Restorative Racial Justice learning opportunity. It is a gift to anyone searching for a faith based path toward anti-racism. Decentering one’s whiteness is potentially liberating and personally transformative because it allows each of us to find our humanity and be the precious image of God.
Using Bible study, personal anecdotes, articles, videos, book excerpts and the Course Booklet we will unmask White Privilege and show how it perpetuates systemic and personal racist policies and behaviors which are anti-Gospel. Participants will be guided through the course using a cycle of reflection, reaction, response, and re-envisioning.
Participants will be encouraged to journal and document personal progress and change over an 8 session period of re-learning history, politics, and religion to unmask the racist teachings and policies which benefit(ed) people of European descent.
Materials for the course:
The Course Booklet, your Bible (NRSV), a journal, and good internet access.
Dates:
November 3 and 17, 2021
December 1 and 15, 2021
January 5 and 19, 2022
February 2 and 16, 2022
Contact: Dr. Harriet Corean Ward @ harrietcward@comcast.net
The Course Facilitator: Barrick Stees
Barry is a member of the Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, OH. He is a leader of the church's Social Justice Advocacy Ministry. Certified as a trained facilitator in the UCC's Sacred Conversations to End Racism, he facilitates engaging and challenging discussions on Restorative Racial Justice with many groups.
Barry is the author of “Centering God, Decentering Whiteness,” a transformative curriculum which helps people learn how the construction of Whiteness has separated us from God. It helps them remove Whiteness as the default in their faith and in society by restoring God to the center of our being as the One “in whom we live and move and have our being".
Your P&J Team
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In Memoriam - Jeanne Cooke
We are sad to share the news that our friend and long-time member, Jeanne Cooke, passed away on Tuesday, October 12, after a very brief illness. We are so grateful for her life and celebrate her blessed memory.
Calling hours will be held this Friday, October 15, 2021, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry, NH. A service will follow at 5:30pm led by Rev. Kathy. A private burial will be held at a later date at the West Hampstead Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to HCC in lieu of flowers.
You can read Jeanne's obituary here.
May Jeanne rest in peace, and may her family and all who love her be comforted.
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Showing Our Support
In February we shared that Olivia Nolan had joined the US Marine Corps and had just completed her first week of Boot Camp.
In August, Olivia was home for a visit prior to shipping out to Okinawa Japan for 3 years.
Becky and Doug have shared Olivia's address so that people can send letters of support.
Olivia's address is:
PFC Olivia Nolan
3D Recon BN
Unit 36180
FPO AP 96389-6180
Since this is a military mailing address, the USPS site says that a standard first-class stamp is all that is needed for a letter to be mailed to Olivia.
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A Word from Peace & Justice
Help Monarch butterflies and support other wildlife in New Hampshire!
There was an article from UNH Cooperative Extension and NH Fish and Game calling for New Hampshire residents to collect the seed pods of the common milkweed plant. Collected seeds will be spread by the NH Dept of Transportation along the highways in designated conservation corridors. These are areas where native perennials have been planted to support pollinators. Milkweed is important because it supports a variety of pollinators and wildlife in addition to being the exclusive host for Monarch butterflies to lay eggs and for the caterpillars to feed. Milkweed has been disappearing for the last 20 years resulting in an 80% decrease in the eastern Monarch population. Individuals can help the state increase the volume of milkweed plants by collecting seed pods. This would be a great project for families and schools.
The collection period is going on now through October 30. The pods in my yard are not quite ready yet and I will keep watching them until they get to the dry grey/brown stage.
Collecting Milkweed Pods - taken directly from the UNH website
- Only collect the pods when they are dry and grey/brown. If the center seam pops with gentle pressure, they can be harvested.
- Store the pods in paper bags; plastic bags will collect unwanted moisture.
- Write the date and county collected on the bag.
- Keep the pods in a cool, dry place until you deliver them to the collection site.
- Leave some pods (25%) on the plants to also allow for natural dispersal.
There are several collection sites throughout NH with the closest site at the UNH Extension Rockingham County Office, 113 North Road in Brentwood. A collection bin is located outside the front entrance.
We are gathering bags at HCC through this coming Sunday, 10/24 and the Peace & Justice Group will drive them to Brentwood. A collection basket is conveniently located in Hadley Hall. After this Sunday, you will need to drive them to a collection location by 10/30.
If you decide to participate, consider sharing a photo of you harvesting and delivering your pods so we can include it in our Weekly Word.
Unsure of what milkweed pods and seeds look like? See the entire UNH article here:
story submitted by Debra Sawyer
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Clothing Drive to Support
Epilepsy Foundation and HCC
Now Thru November 24th
The Fundraising and Missions Teams have joined together to host a Clothing Drive Fundraiser to support Epilepsy Foundation New England (EFNE) and also raise funds for our church.
Simply clean out your closet and ask your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. You will be decluttering, recycling, and doing good all at the same time!
Clothing drives account for more than 50% of the EFNE budget so they can really use our help. We in turn get paid for every pound of clothes we collect!
Wondering how much can be raised through used clothing? Global Goods Foundation raised $650 for community-based projects. Weare Middle School raised a whopping $6,700 for their 8th grade class trip. And thanks to Barbara Dennis, we already have 191 pounds of clothing donated to us from the Hampstead Library Thrift Store.
What are we looking for? First and foremost, all items must be clean and in good condition. They include the following:
• Clothing
• Outerwear
• Footwear (shoes, boots, heels, etc.)
• Accessories (belts, socks, ties, scarves, hats, etc.
• Backpacks and handbags
• Costumes & dress-up clothes
• Household fabrics (bedding, sofa covers, tablecloths, towels, etc.)
Please place items in trash bags and leave them in the foyer of Hadley Hall at your convenience now thru the 24th of November. If you have a large quantity of bags, contact Barbara Wallack at 603-548-8326, and she will do her best to pick them up.
As always, we thank you for your support--
Fundraising Team and Mission Team
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This month we help serve on Wednesday, October 27 . If you are interested in volunteering this month, please contact Jane DeRosa at 603-401-9144.
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The Sonshine Soup Kitchen needs volunteers to prepare and package the food for "To Go Meals." We partner with Atkinson Congregational Church once a month on the 4th
Wednesday of the month to help out from 3-6pm.
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Blankets for Project Linus
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For those of you who have been busy sewing, quilting, knitting, or crocheting, we have an new opportunity to donate those handmade items!
We located a national organization that has local chapters called Project Linus (https://www.facebook.com/projectlinussouthwestnewhampshire/). This organization's mission is "to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans". Blankets are given to children in need through NH.
*We welcome all styles of blankets made in child-friendly colors/prints.
*Crocheted, knitted, quilted (100% cotton or flannel), fleece….you don’t have to be an expert!
*Blankets must be NEW, HANDMADE and WASHABLE.
*Fabric blankets can be quilted by machine, hand or tied. If you are tying the blanket make sure the ends are trimmed to 1” and the knots are secure.
*Please do not add any embellishments to the blankets such as buttons that could be swallowed by a child.
*If you are using a no-sew fleece pattern, please be sure to trim off both selvages FIRST. Not sure what selvages are? Ask the clerk who is cutting your fleece to please show you, they’re those odd looking edges at the top and bottom of the piece you have, sort of raggy looking.
*We accept all sizes of blankets. We donate to children, infants through teen years, so any size is appropriate. Baby blankets are typically 36”X36” or 36”X42”, toddler-pre-teen are typically about 40”X60”, and teen blankets are at least 60"X72".
Blankets can be dropped off in the entry way of Hadley Hall.
Thank you for your support of this project!
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Are you on Facebook? Do you follow Hampstead Congregational Church? Please like our page to know about all the great events in the church. Liking also supports our church when people check us out. If you are already connected, share our good news!
Rev. Kathy also has a page for all who are interested to follow.
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If you are on Instagram, please follow us, and let your friends know about us by sharing our posts! Click this link
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Scam Emails
Emails are often sent, saying they are from Pastor Kathy or another staff member. She (or the HCC staff) will never send out a generic email--she'll address it to your name. She will never ask you for money/gift cards over email.
Also, any email from Pastor Kathy will always have her signature line on the bottom with her phone number/address.
If in doubt, please call the church or send an email to pastorkathyucc@gmail.com.
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Want to get the word out about what’s happening at HCC? If you want to publicize your event or remind the congregation about something, please email the office (hcc1752@gmail.com) by Wednesday at noon so that your information can be included in that week’s Weekly Word. Feel free to send in information up to three weeks in advance of an upcoming event. We want all of the congregation (not just the Team leaders) to be empowered to get the word out about all the activities that are happening at Hampstead Congregational Church!
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Our Mailing Address:
61 Main Street
Hampstead, NH 03841
See what's happening on our social sites
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Hampstead Congregational Church Website
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